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Phone Scam

Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Putnam Residents Authorities are warning Hudson Valley residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s office personnel and demand payment via gift cards.  The scam has been reported in Putnam County, the county's Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, Nov. 22. According to authorities, the caller claims to be “Sergeant Cook” from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and falsely states that the recipient failed to respond to a jury summons. The scammer then threatens that a warrant will be issued for the recipient’s arrest unless they pay using gift cards. The Sheriff’s Office emphasi…
Phone Scammer Swindles $32K From Roslyn Heights Woman, Police Say Phone Scammer Swindles $32K From Roslyn Heights Woman, Police Say
Phone Scammer Swindles $32K From Roslyn Heights Woman, Police Say An alleged phone scammer convinced a Long Island woman to fork over tens of thousands of dollars, police said. Nassau County Police said the 65-year-old Roslyn Heights woman contacted the agency on Wednesday, Oct. 16, saying she had been the victim of a scam. She told investigators that she received a call from “Amazon” regarding her iPad and was directed to speak with a purported agent at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report fraud. After contacting the purported FTC, the woman was informed that she had open warrants and was directed to meet a federal agent on the corner of Power H…
Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer In Inwood, Police Say Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer In Inwood, Police Say
Would-Be Victim Foils Attempted Phone Scammer In Inwood, Police Say A quick-thinking Long Islander avoided falling victim to an alleged phone scammer. The 73-year-old Inwood woman contacted Nassau County Police on Wednesday morning, Oct, 2, saying a man had called her claiming to work for her bank’s fraud department. During the call, he told the woman there were fraudulent charges on her bank card and they would arrange for someone to pick up the card from her home. Fortunately, the woman realized she was being scammed and contacted detectives. Eight hours later, police located the suspect, 28-year-old Darren Saunders, of Brooklyn, and arrested him witho…
Scam Alert: Callers Posing As Police Sergeant, Demanding Cash In Putnam Scam Alert: Callers Posing As Police Sergeant, Demanding Cash In Putnam
Scam Alert: Callers Posing As Police Sergeant, Demanding Cash In Putnam Authorities in the Hudson Valley are warning residents to be wary of phone scammers posing as police to demand cash from victims.  The scheme was detailed in an announcement by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office on Friday, Aug. 23, in which authorities said they had received reports of fraudulent calls to residents in the county.  According to the Sheriff's Office, the caller has been posing as a sergeant from the office and asking for cash for missed jury duty fines.  In their announcement, the office said they would never make such calls or request payments for jury d…
Phone Scammer Stole $13K From Elderly Woman: NJSP Phone Scammer Stole $13K From Elderly Woman: NJSP
Phone Scammer Stole $13K From Elderly Woman: Njsp Police are attempting to identify and locate a phone scammer that took $13,000 from an elderly woman in Hunterdon County last month, authorities said. On Thursday, July 25, an elderly woman received a pop-up alert on her computer, falsely warning her of a virus and instructing her to contact Microsoft, the New Jersey State Police said.  The victim was told to contact the TD Bank Fraud Office at a phone number later determined to be fraudulent, police said. The individual posing as a bank representative convinced the victim that she needed to withdraw $13,000 from her account to protect…
2 Suspects Posing As Law Enforcement Nabbed In Hudson Valley $27K Phone Scam 2 Suspects Posing As Law Enforcement Nabbed In Hudson Valley $27K Phone Scam
2 Suspects Posing As Law Enforcement Nabbed In Hudson Valley $27K Phone Scam Two suspects from New Jersey posing as law enforcement authorities in New York were nabbed after allegedly scamming residents out of $27,000. The Hudson Valley incident occurred in Dutchess County on Tuesday, June 18, and Wednesday, June 19. According to Capt. John Watterson of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, Vivek B. Shingarakhia, age 24, and Kishan Gajera, age 31, both of Jersey City, in connection with the investigation into a phone scam that was reported to the Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, June 19. Watterson said the victims reported to sheriff’s deputies that they susp…
Scam Alert: Police Warn Of Callers Posing As Capital Region Sheriff's Office Scam Alert: Police Warn Of Callers Posing As Capital Region Sheriff's Office
Scam Alert: Police Warn Of Callers Posing As Capital Region Sheriff's Office Don’t fall for it. Authorities are warning residents of phone scammers who are posing as members of a local sheriff’s office. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office learned about a fraudulent phone call that was made to a resident on Tuesday, May 28, the agency announced on Facebook. During the call, the scammer instructed the resident to call the sheriff’s office at 518-714-1875, not the agency’s actual phone number, 518-885-6761. When the victim called the phony number, they were greeted by a computer-generated voice indicating they had reached the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and off…
Phone Scam: Callers Posing As White Plains Police, Asking For Money Phone Scam: Callers Posing As White Plains Police, Asking For Money
Phone Scam: Callers Posing As White Plains Police, Asking For Money A police department in Westchester is warning residents of a phone scam involving a caller posing as an officer and asking victims for money to help their family member. In an announcement on Wednesday, Feb. 7, White Plains Public Safety officials said they have heard of several incidents of suspects spoofing the department's phone number.  According to the department, the caller will say they are a White Plains Police officer and claim that the victim's family member was involved in an accident. They will then ask the victim for money.  Luckily, some residents who received the c…
Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Hudson Valley: Police Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Hudson Valley: Police
Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Hudson Valley: Police Authorities in the Hudson Valley are continuing to warn residents of a scammer who has been posing as a local priest to convince victims to purchase gift cards for them.  The warning was issued on Wednesday, Jan. 10 by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, which said the scammer is continuing to "exploit the generosity of our community."  According to the Sheriff's Office, the scammer has been posing as a local priest over phone calls to solicit gift cards from victims. Those who receive such a call are warned to verify the identity of the person or organization claiming to be on th…
Scam Alert: Don't Believe Call From 'Officer Johnson,' Sheriff From Region Says Scam Alert: Don't Believe Call From 'Officer Johnson,' Sheriff From Region Says
Scam Alert: Don't Believe Call From 'Officer Johnson,' Sheriff From Region Says Another phone scam is making the rounds in the region.  This time, this caller is "Officer Johnson," claiming to be from the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. "Officer Johnson" claims to be from the Sheriff’s Office and tells the victim that there is a warrant that has been issued for the victim’s arrest because they failed to report for jury duty, said Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office He then advises the victim that they can avoid arrest if they pay a fine over the phone. The victim is then instructed to purchase a prepaid debit card and provide the …
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns As New Yorkers across the state report being contacted by scammers impersonating their banks, officials are cautioning consumers to keep their eyes peeled. In a statement on Friday, Oct. 27, NY Attorney General Letitia James provided tips to avoid getting scammed by callers pretending to be bank or government officials. “Scammers claiming to be a trusted bank, or any institution relied on for financial services, can seriously harm New Yorkers by taking their money and their personal information,” she said. James said the Office of the Attorney General has been receiving calls from New Y…
'The Money Is Ready': Phone Scammer Steals Over $6K From CT Victim, Police Say 'The Money Is Ready': Phone Scammer Steals Over $6K From CT Victim, Police Say
'The Money Is Ready': Phone Scammer Steals Over $6K From CT Victim, Police Say An elaborate phone scam duped a Connecticut victim into forking over more than $6,000 and almost cost them thousands more, police said. Waldy Santiago, age 25, of Providence, Rhode Island, turned himself in at a State Police facility in Westbrook in Middlesex County on Wednesday, Oct. 25, in connection with the alleged scheme, according to Connecticut State Police. Investigators were initially contacted by a Middlesex County resident in Killingworth on Friday, Aug. 25, reporting an elderly scam. The 80-year-old victim told detectives that a man identifying himself as their grandson, who wa…
Don't Fall For It: Phone Scammers Posing As Cops Targeting Capital Region Residents Don't Fall For It: Phone Scammers Posing As Cops Targeting Capital Region Residents
Don't Fall For It: Phone Scammers Posing As Cops Targeting Capital Region Residents If you get a suspicious phone call threatening arrest, don’t worry, it’s most likely bogus. Several concerned citizens contacted the Albany Police Department on Monday, Oct. 16, reporting a man who was posing as an Albany cop, according to the agency. The caller told people that they had an outstanding warrant and they needed to make a payment in order to “take care of it.” If payment was not received, he told them, they would be arrested. Albany Police addressed the scam in a Facebook post Tuesday, Oct. 17, saying the department will never ask for financial or credit card information over…
Darien Resident Victim Of $45K Phone Scam, Police Say Darien Resident Victim Of $45K Phone Scam, Police Say
Darien Resident Victim Of $45K Phone Scam, Police Say A Fairfield County resident lost $45,000 after falling victim to a phone scam. The incident took place in Darien around 11:50 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 29. A Darien Police officer met with the victim in regard to the phone scam that had taken place the day before.  The victim told officers she received a phone call from a man claiming to be an employee of her bank. She was told there was fraudulent activity on her account and that she needed to verify some information, said Sgt. Dan Skoumbros of the Darien Police.  The woman told officers she stayed on the phone …
Cape May County Phone Scammers Claimed They Were From Amazon, DEA: Prosecutor Cape May County Phone Scammers Claimed They Were From Amazon, DEA: Prosecutor
Cape May County Phone Scammers Claimed They Were From Amazon, DEA: Prosecutor Two people have been arrested in connection with a phone scam, authorities said. On Aug. 29, the victim in this investigation received a call from a subject claiming to be from Amazon Customer Service, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, This individual claimed that they were calling because of an issue with a purchase and the victim’s identity was stolen. The victim was subsequently transferred to another individual claiming to be from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The victim was then told that there were multiple bank a…
Sex Offenders Being Targeted By Phone Scammers, Police In Capital Region Say Sex Offenders Being Targeted By Phone Scammers, Police In Capital Region Say
Sex Offenders Being Targeted By Phone Scammers, Police In Capital Region Say Authorities in the region are warning of phone scammers who are targeting a new class of victims: registered sex offenders. In a statement issued Friday, May 5, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office said it was aware of a phone scam in which perpetrators claim to be affiliated with local law enforcement agencies. The caller then tells the victim that they are “non-compliant” for not submitting DNA, and must buy gift cards for specific dollar amounts and send them the card information as a “fine” to avoid being arrested. “The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone…
Fake FBI Agent Scams $650,000 From Long Island Woman: DA Fake FBI Agent Scams $650,000 From Long Island Woman: DA
Fake FBI Agent Scams $650,000 From Long Island Woman: DA Though authorities were able to recover $140,000, the 87-year-old victim lost over half a million dollars in an elaborate phone scheme. Raymond A. Tierney, the Suffolk County District Attorney, urged the public to be vigilant of scams after an elderly Setauket resident was conned out of $650,000 by someone claiming to be a federal agent, the DA’s office announced on Friday, April 28. The victim, whose name has remained confidential, was originally contacted in July 2022 by someone claiming to be from her bank. The caller allegedly told the victim that her bank account had been flagged a…
Duo's 'Grandparent Scam' Nearly Costs Capital Region Victim $19K, Police Say Duo's 'Grandparent Scam' Nearly Costs Capital Region Victim $19K, Police Say
Duo's 'Grandparent Scam' Nearly Costs Capital Region Victim $19K, Police Say A would-be phone scam victim is being credited with helping to catch two suspects accused of trying to swindle them out of nearly $20,000. In Albany County, police were called at around 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, with reports of a possible scam in progress in Loudonville, according to the Colonie Police Department. The victim told police that they had received a phone call from a man pretending to be their grandson who said he was in jail and needed bail money to be released. A second suspect then got on the phone and pretended to be the grandsons’ attorney, according to police. They told t…
NY Woman Wires $49K To Scammer Posing As Microsoft Employee NY Woman Wires $49K To Scammer Posing As Microsoft Employee
NY Woman Wires $49K To Scammer Posing As Microsoft Employee A New York woman was scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars over the phone. The 85-year-old Long Island resident, of North Hills, was using her computer when she received a prompt to call a phone number, according to Nassau County Police. A man on the other end claimed to be a Microsoft employee and instructed her to go to her bank and transfer $49,000 to another bank account, which she did.  Once the transfer was complete, the man then instructed the victim to send him a copy of her driver’s license and the bank receipt for the transfer, police said. Nassau County Police said …
Phone Scam: CT Couple Loses Over $10K After Caller Poses As State Agency Rep Phone Scam: CT Couple Loses Over $10K After Caller Poses As State Agency Rep
Phone Scam: CT Couple Loses Over $10K After Caller Poses As State Agency Rep Police are warning residents to be careful after a couple from Connecticut had over $10,000 stolen from them by a phone scammer.  The incident happened in January 2023, when state troopers responded to a New London County home in Montville after an elderly couple reported losing thousands of dollars from a phone scam, state police said in a release from Thursday, March 1.  Once troopers arrived, the couple told police that they had received a call earlier that day from someone claiming to be a representative from a state agency. The "representative" had told them a family member w…
Long Island Woman Wires $29K To 'Fraud Dept. Rep.' In Phone Scam, Police Say Long Island Woman Wires $29K To 'Fraud Dept. Rep.' In Phone Scam, Police Say
Long Island Woman Wires $29K To 'Fraud Dept. Rep.' In Phone Scam, Police Say A Long Island woman is out nearly $30,000 after falling victim to a phone scam. The 43-year-old Plainview woman told Nassau County Police that she received a phone call from someone claiming to be a representative with Chase Bank’s fraud department on Thursday morning, Feb. 23. The scammer reportedly used the name “Tracy Smith.” Detectives said the person told the victim that there was fraudulent activity on her account that she needed to wire $29,800 from her account into a Bank of America account in order to resolve the issue, police said. The victim then wired the money. She later reach…
Wayne Police Turn Tables On 'Grandson Needs Bail Money' Scammers Who Victimized Elderly Couple Wayne Police Turn Tables On 'Grandson Needs Bail Money' Scammers Who Victimized Elderly Couple
Wayne Police Turn Tables On 'Grandson Needs Bail Money' Scammers Who Victimized Elderly Couple GOTCHA! An elderly couple had just handed over tens of thousands of dollars to a pair of “grandson-in-trouble” scammers and were about to surrender even more when Wayne police came to their rescue. The couple was already at the bank when their adult daughter reached out to township police –and just in time. Posing as a lawyer, one of the scammers had called and convinced the couple that a grandchild “had been involved in a car accident in New York City where a pregnant woman was involved and lost her baby,” Detective Capt. Dan Daly explained. The worried grandparents had already ponied up…
Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds
Admitted Springfield Phone Scammer Must Repay $1.5M He Helped Steal: Feds A Springfield man who pleaded guilty to his role in a phone scam operation that bilked more than $1.5 million from victims will spend two years in prison and repay what he stole, federal authorities said.  Utkarsh Thakur, 29, admitted to one count of money laundering in April, and a judge sentenced him this week, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Thakur was a member of a group of scammers who would cold-call victims and claim to be law enforcement or people of authority and threaten them with arrest or loss of public assistance if they didn't pay up.…
Alert Issued In Hudson Valley For Scammers Pretending To Be Power Companies Alert Issued In Hudson Valley For Scammers Pretending To Be Power Companies
Alert Issued In Hudson Valley For Scammers Pretending To Be Power Companies Police in the Hudson Valley are warning people of phone calls coming from scammers posing as power companies.  Residents in Putnam County are receiving false automated phone calls from New York State Gas and Electric or Central Hudson that claim their power will be shut off in thirty minutes because of an unpaid balance, Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville said.  The false calls will then direct victims to call a number to speak with a representative, McConville said.  "These calls are a scam. NYSEG and Central Hudson would never shut off power via an automat…
Don't Fall For It: Scammers In Area Pretending To Be 'Sergeant Jason Cooke,' Authorities Say Don't Fall For It: Scammers In Area Pretending To Be 'Sergeant Jason Cooke,' Authorities Say
Don't Fall For It: Scammers In Area Pretending To Be 'Sergeant Jason Cooke,' Authorities Say Authorities are warning residents in the region of a new phone scam from a person pretending to be a deputy. Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville said in the last couple of days, several county residents have reported receiving phone calls from a man impersonating a member of the Sheriff’s Office.  The man has been calling residents, saying he is “Sergeant Jason Cooke” from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 3 County Center in Carmel, the sheriff's office said. The caller tells the person they are facing legal consequences for failing to comply with a prior or current criminal ma…
Scammer Clones Bethlehem Police Phone Number To Defraud Resident Of More Than $11K Scammer Clones Bethlehem Police Phone Number To Defraud Resident Of More Than $11K
Scammer Clones Bethlehem Police Phone Number To Defraud Resident Of More Than $11K A scammer cloning the phone number of the Bethlehem Police Department defrauded a local resident of more than $11,000, authorities said. A Lehigh Valley resident received a call from the Bethlehem Police non-emergency line (610-865-7187) on Friday, Aug. 26 stating that a family member was in trouble and needed money, the department said in a release. The resident was ultimately scammed out of more than $11,000, police said. “This is a common fraud scheme in which the victim is convinced that a family member has been in an accident or arrested and needs money immediately to avoid serving t…
Don't Fall For It: Scam Callers Posing As Suffolk County Police Don't Fall For It: Scam Callers Posing As Suffolk County Police
Don't Fall For It: Scam Callers Posing As Suffolk County Police Authorities have issued an alert to Long Islanders about a scam where individuals are impersonating police officers. The Suffolk County Police Department reported on Sunday, July 10, that it has received reports phone scams where individuals pretend to be SCPD officers. The scammers claim there is an arrest warrant or unpaid ticket and that they need money or personal information, SCPD said. Scam Alert- The SCPD has received reports regarding calls made by individuals claiming to be SCPD officers. The scammer claimed there was an arrest warrant or unpaid ticket and asked for money or p…
Don't Fall For It: Scam Callers Posing As Police On Long Island Don't Fall For It: Scam Callers Posing As Police On Long Island
Don't Fall For It: Scam Callers Posing As Police On Long Island Authorities are warning the public against a phone scam where callers are claiming to be police on Long Island. During the calls, scammers say they are a member of the New York State Police advising there is a case pending against them and requesting personal information.  The phone number showing up on caller ID is 631-756-3300 which is the phone number used by the New York State Police, Troop L Headquarters on Long Island. Neither the state police, nor any agency authorized by it, will ever solicit for money, or ask for personal information over the phone, state police said. "Plea…
Phone Scammers Posing As Baltimore City Sheriff’s Department Officials Phone Scammers Posing As Baltimore City Sheriff’s Department Officials
Phone Scammers Posing As Baltimore City Sheriff’s Department Officials Phone scammers have been targeting Maryland and New York area residents by posing as officials trying to collect money to clear arrest warrants, authorities say. The scammers have been using a caller ID to show the Baltimore City Sheriff's Department to appear legitimate. The Sheriff's Office is warning residents saying they will never contact anyone by phone to gather money. The scammers ask people to pay through electronic payment methods such as Apple Pay, Cash-App, Venmo, or similar means to steal funds from potential victims, officials say. If you receive such a call, note the in…
Trio Wanted After Long Island Victim Loses $10K In Scam Trio Wanted After Long Island Victim Loses $10K In Scam
Trio Wanted After Long Island Victim Loses $10K In Scam Three suspects are at large after scamming a woman on Long Island out of $10,000 by claiming there was child pornography on her computer, authorities announced. An alert was issued by Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and the Riverhead Town Police Department as the agencies seek the public’s assistance in identifying and locating three suspects who used gift cards that were obtained through a phone scam in February. According to police, an elderly Quogue woman was contacted electronically by a fraudster alleging that there was child porn on her computer, and she was directed to purchase $10,00…
Verizon Issues Warning For Spam Messages Sent From Person's Own Number Verizon Issues Warning For Spam Messages Sent From Person's Own Number
Verizon Issues Warning For Spam Messages Sent From Person's Own Number Verizon customers are being cautioned to be on alert as a tricky new scam involving one’s own telephone number has been making the rounds. Customers have been reporting that they've received text messages from their own phone numbers alerting them that they’ve won a prize, including a link to claim their "gift." The messages claim that the user has paid their most recent phone bill, providing the link for a free prize in response. However, if one clicks the link, they’re instead transported to a Russian state TV network. Verizon issued a statement following the recent reports of the scam,…